Wild Birds Unlimited of Syosset is not just a retail store. We believe in advocating for wildlife conservation through education and outreach.  

In addition to our in-store nature programs, we are available to visit your location to present programs in order to connect even more people to nature!

Programs Available:

Why Birds Matter, The Threats They Face, How We Can Help

The New York Times, Washington Post, NBC News and countless other news outlets have headlined the devastating news that since 1970 we have lost 29% of our bird populations. According to the 2019 “State of the Birds Report”, that’s just about THREE BILLION birds. But why should we even care? And what can we do to help? This program will explain why birds matter, the perils they face, and how we can, as individuals and communities, work together to help protect them.

Gardening for Birds by Creating Backyard Habitats

This comprehensive workshop explains why it is important to landscape for birds and other wildlife, along with tips for creating backyard habitats that include food, shelter and nesting spots. You'll also learn the basics of designing and choosing plants for your wildlife sanctuary.  

Discovering The Owls of Long Island

Owls are charismatic and beloved birds that just happen to be formidable and skilled hunters. This program will discuss the various owls that call Long Island home as well as the amazing adaptations that make them such remarkable predators. We’ll also touch on some of the legends and lore that surround this group of raptors.

The Birds in Your Backyard- Summer Edition

Long Island is home to numerous bird species, from the majestic bald eagle to tiny hummingbirds. What birds can you expect to see in your backyard?  We will help you learn to identify the various species of birds visiting our feeders year round and during the warmer months in this program. You'll learn a little bit about each species and there will also be a brief overview on migration, courtship, and nesting, as well as how to attract each species.  

The Birds in Your Backyard- Winter Edition

Long Island is home to numerous bird species, from the majestic bald eagle to tiny hummingbirds. What birds can you expect to see in your backyard year round and during the winter? What ARE you seeing in your backyard? This program will provide a brief overview of the various species of birds in our backyards both year-round and during winter-from common visitors to the more unusual. We will also learn about the adaptations that help birds survive winter's frigid grip as well as to tell similar looking species apart.

The Basics of Birdwatching

Spending time looking for and observing birds is great for your physical, mental, and emotional health. It connects you to nature in a way that goes beyond just hiking. It teaches you observation skills, and, if you choose, it can open the doors to making new friends.

It's flexible-you can bird only in your backyard, or you can choose to travel the world to see as many birds as possible. It keeps you sharp-because once you have seen a bird, you just want to learn as much as you can about it. It is really the perfect pastime when you think about it! But, how does one actually become a birder? You will learn tips on learning to identify birds, as well as the tools needed to get started in this comprehensive online class.

Attracting Birds to Your Yard Through Bird Feeding Mastery

From tiny hummingbirds, chickadees, nuthatches and titmice to heftier cardinals,  orioles and woodpeckers, we all have the chance to experience the joy of feeding birds and watching their delightful antics wherever we live. How do we attract these birds? What are the best feeders to set up? The best food to use?  How can we deter other hungry critters that seem determined to eat us out of house and home? This program will guide you through all you need to know in order to attract birds to your yard through bird feeding. 

The Wonderful World of Woodpeckers

The forests and woodlands of Long Island provide ideal habitat for six woodpecker species, five of which breed here, and one other which passes through as a regular migrant, especially in the fall. This  program will educate us about the various species of woodpeckers that call Long Island home, as well as answer that age old question, “Why don’t woodpeckers get headaches?”.

Email us to discuss booking a program at your venue!

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Check out reviews of these programs here!

About the speaker:

Stella Miller, Conservation, Education and Outreach Manager at Wild Birds Unlimited, is the former president of Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon, a position she held for over ten years. Since 2006, Stella has spearheaded conservation advocacy efforts such as a national “Save Our Raptors” campaign, “Long Island to Guatemala:The Avian Connection” partnership, and a Bird Friendly Communities Initiative which included designing a native demonstration garden at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. She is also the co- founder of the Preserve Plum Island Coalition.

 While at Audubon she coordinated habitat restoration projects in three local preserves with her volunteer group, the Habitat Heroes. After creating a Youth Outreach Committee, Stella mentored teenagers, teaching these teens the valuable skills they needed to become community leaders themselves. She created a “Bridging the Generation Gap: Connecting Teens and Seniors Through Nature” program which was implemented in various nursing homes. Believing in the critical need to form collaborations and build bridges, she worked with other community organizations as well as stakeholders on a state, county and town level, in order to protect our natural areas. 

 She is a recipient of the Norman Stotz Award for Outstanding Chapter Leadership, awarded by Audubon New York, was honored as one of the Oyster Bay Historical Society’s “Top Advocates for Historic Preservation and Education” for her dedication to preserving Long Island’s natural history and in 2016 was recognized by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce for her work on behalf of Audubon.